Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong becomes 7th to reach 40/40 mark

CHICAGO — Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong became the seventh player in MLB history to join the 40/40 club after stealing his 40th base of the season in the bottom of the first inning of a 2-1 victory against the Miami Marlins on Thursday.

With the victory, the Cubs clinched their second straight postseason berth.

Crow-Armstrong, 24, has 45 home runs to go along with his 40 stolen bases, joining Jose Canseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996), Alex Rodriguez (1998), Alfonso Soriano (2006), Ronald Acuna Jr. (2023) and Shohei Ohtani (2024) as the only players to accomplish that feat in a single season.

Crow-Armstrong is just the third player with at least 45 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, joining Ohtani and Soriano in that club as well.

“I think it’s super cool,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said after the game. “There are only so many guys in the game that can even think about accomplishing it. [He’s only] the seventh person ever to do it. The list is pretty amazing, so I think it is neat.”

Crow-Armstrong walked to lead off the game against Marlins starter Tyler Phillips and then immediately stole second base on the first pitch to right fielder Seiya Suzuki. The game stopped momentarily as the crowd along with his teammates acknowledged the accomplishment.

“I’m kind of a fan. You’re part of it, right?” manager Craig Counsell said. “You’re just part of enjoying it. And I think it’s the things you remember about the job, moments like that and moments that he’s provided all of us.”

Fans chanted “MVP” as the Wrigley Field videoboard proclaimed the feat.

“Everything Pete has done this year has been really incredible,” Counsell said. “I know that’s a milestone, but I think we’ve seen it all already this year, actually, you know? And I think the people here have celebrated him in a really cool way. I’ve never seen it before, actually.”

Earlier this season, Crow-Armstrong crossed the 30/30 plateau for the second consecutive year, but the heavy favorite to win the National League MVP has taken his game to another level. His 45 home runs are a career high after surpassing his previous high of 31, achieved last season. His 40 stolen bases are also a career high. He swiped 35 in 2025.

“The fans are aware of it in a fun way. We’re aware of it as well,” teammate Nico Hoerner said of Crow-Armstrong’s quest for 40/40. “He’s handled it really well. It’s an incredible accomplishment.”